In Dilemma-Expectation and Reality? Can China Improve Further?

I wanted to write, have been feeling very frustrated about some issues I faced here.

1) Tibet-I have a very bad experience on my trip to Tibet. As a foreigner, I have to have a 'local' guide' to accompany me, during my stay there, right from the time I touched my feet in Lhasa ground up to the time I am safely in the airport, I have to be accompanied. Oh yes, and before that, I have to get a traveling permit from Tibet tourism bureau, only then I can check in and get my flight ticket. OK, that is one part.
The main part is that I have to pay money, and it does not come cheap. This is the second part, and still not so important, as you wish you to see something special (here, referring to Lhasa, then you have to pay money, and I agree). But the procedure itself and the effectiveness of the system.
You see, I have to apply this through some traveling agencies, which one of them is in Shanghai (I was informed by my secretary that they have one in Beijing, one in Chengdu, etc). And I paid close to RMB 5 800 for this (close to RM 2500). This includes 3 nites accommodation (about RMB 500 per nite), and transportation (a car, which I was made to understand cost RMB 1000 per day, and a tour guide which is about RMB 300 per day). And the reason they give is because of security reason, they want to make sure all foreign tourists are fully accompanied by locals. So, after I paid the amount, this Shanghai traveling agent arranged with a local traveling office in Lhasa to receive us and 'take care of us' there. All these, I agree, as this is something Chinese government ruling is, and I have to respect, especially as a foreigner. There are many things promised by this Shanghai traveling company, for example, the car is for me to use the whole day, and if I have local Chinese friends, they can also use at the same time, without any charge or any problem. But this did not happen in that manner. There was argument on this later, which I do not want to delve on it. Secondly, the local tour guide is suppose to accompany me throughout my trip, but out of my 4-day trip, I was accompanied by the tour guide only the first day, when I arrived and on the second way, we have problem with this guide and we asked for an exchange. Another guide came half day later, promising to come the next day. However, she did not turn up. And how would I end to? Just stay inside the hotel? And who should I complain to? going to local police station? The local agent's Manager later on came (on the 4th day) to apologize and thanked us for not going over to lodge a complain in the police station.
The point I am trying to highlight is, what level of security is this guide able to do? And what type of service can I get, after paying so much money for this so called permit? I have been asking myself, am I not being taken advantage off? and who protects my rights as a foreigner traveler here, besides the security and safety issue, for the country and for myself?


2) Lately, since the beginning of summer, there are many flights delayed.
Sometimes, I can understand if it is due to weather, for example, Beijing airport has to be closed down for 3-4 hours due to heavy rain.
But most of the times, it was due to aircraft rotational issues, which is basically airlines problem.
Like today, i am suppose to fly from Shanghai to Beijing, with 11.05 flight, with CA.
And when I arrived at Pudong airport, the flight was cancelled. I was not informed, neither was my secretary, and not even our ticketing agent. And I was informed when i was there, they have arrange for me to board with China Eastern, under MU 5129. and flight time was suppose to be 10.45am. At the time I board this, I understood that this flight was suppose to depart at 8.30am, where some passengers were already there since 6 something in the morning. And we waited in the plane close to 12 noon before the plane depart. Reason, this time not weather issue. The first explanation was again, plane problem (then this should be airlines issue) and then they again, another reason was due to Pudong airport authority not giving the departure rights to the plane. So, I am not sure what is really happening, but I know, the about 70% of the passengers were very angry, and luckily the plane departed soon after that. Otherwise, I am sure there will be a big commotion coming up.
I think airlines company has to understand and has to improve by having the right mindset that they are in service industry, and efficiency has to be number one, and proper explanation has to be given, and they should fine ways to improve with their crafts. Airport authority, I can understand their concern, due to safety reasons, they will decide whether a plane should take off or not especially if weather is bad. But if weather is perfectly fine, then also, I guess they should help to explain to the pilot what problems it was and how much time we, as passengers need to wait before the flight take off. This is another form of service to make passenger understand. After all, we are customers first and we pay for the service, aren't we? It is not a free ride and we do pay for air-tickets and airport taxes too.
This is not the first time I have this problem but I just could not stand this anymore, that I have to write something about it.
I am regular users of Air China, China based airline, as I have written before, how can they be part of Star Alliance group when their service level has not reached any of Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, to name a few.
But then, this is the blog site for me to voice out my disappointment and my displeasure, that is why it is called, Luahanku.


Choong, Beijing